Pneumatic-despatch-tube receiving-terminal.



13,0. BATGHELLBR. PNEUMATIC DESPATGH TUBE RECEIVING TERMINAL.

APPLICATION TILED SEPT. 23, 1911.

Patented May 6, 1913.

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B. G. BATCHELLER. PNEUMATIG DESPATOH TUBE RECEIVING TERMINAL.

'APPLIGATION FILED SEPT. 23, 1911.

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B. 0. BATGHELLER. PNEUMATIC DESPATGH TUBE RECEIVING TERMINAL.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 23, 1911.

Patented May 6, 1913.

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M 7 W BY 1% B. G. BATOHELLER. PNEUMATIC DESPATGH TUBE RECEIVINGTERMINAL.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 23, 1911. I 1,061 ,034. Patented May 6, 1913.

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IN VEN TOR 1 ATTORNEY Y B. O. BATGHELLER.

PNEUMATIC DESPATGH TUBE RECEIVING TERMINAL.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 23, 1911.

' Patented May 6, 1913.

5 SHEETSSEEET 5.

IN VE N TOR WITNESSES A TTORNE Y COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, D.C.

BIRNEY G. BATCHELLER, OF NEW YORK, N'. Y.

PNEUMATIC-DESPATCH-TUBE RECEIVING-TERMINAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 6, 1913.

Application filed September 23, 1911. Serial No. 650,917.

- To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BIRNEY C. BATCHEL- LER, a citizen of the UnitedStates of America, residing in the city of New York, borough ofBrooklyn, and State of New York, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Pneumatic-Despatch- Tube Receiving-Terminals, of whichthe following is a true and exact description, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

My present invention relates to despatch tube'apparatus and consists inan improved receiving terminal for a pneumatic despatch tube system, andparticularly for a system in which the dimensions of the carriers andtransit tube are of the kind employed in the transmission of mailbetween the various postal stations of cities.

The object of the invention is the provision of a receiving terminal ofthe kind specified which is reliable in operation, comparatively simplein construction and which permits of an economy in the use of the airemployed for driving the carriers through the transit tubing.

The various features of novelty which characterize my invention arepointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming apart of this specification.

, For a better understanding of the invention,

however, and the advantages possessed by it,

' reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which I have illustrated and described one form in which theinvention may be embodied;

Of the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a despatchtube system including a receiving terminal constructed in accordancewith the present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shownin Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section of a portion of the apparatus shown inFigs. 1 and 2, taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 3 is a section of aportion of the operating cylinder taken on a diametrical plane slightlyinclined to the plane of the section through i said cylinder shown inFig. 8. Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of a portion of one of thecontrolling valve mechanisms employed, the section being taken on theline 41 of Fig. 5. Fig 4 is a partial section taken on the line i -46*of Fig. 4. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 5-5 of Fig.4. Fig. 6 is a section through one of the main gates, taken on the line66 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of carrier ac tuated valve mechanismforming a part of the terminal apparatus. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic viewillustrating the manner in which the main Valves or main transit tubevalves or gates are connected together, and Figs. 9 and 10 arediagrammatic views similar to Fig. 8 showing parts in difierent relativepositions.

In the drawings, A, represents the end of the main transit tube at thereceivingterminal; B, the gate, or rather the casing thereof, connectingthe adjacent ends of the transit tube section A and a receiver cham- Iber C.

D, represents the casing of a gate or valve connecting the opposite endof the receiver chamber C and the discharge tube section E.

F and G represent branch pipe connections from the transit tube A andthe receiver chamber 0, respectively, adjacent the gate B, to the casingH in which is mounted valve mechanism by which one or the other of thepipe sections F and G is connected to the outgoing conduit I throughwhich flows the main current of air for driving the carriers through thesystem.

The gate member or valve proper, B", in the casing B is in the form of acylindrical member (see Fl .6) provided with trunnions B B journaled inthe casing B and formed with a central port or thoroughfare B of thesame diameter as, and adapted to be brought into alinement with thepassages in the transit tube and receiver chamber. In addition the valvemember B is provided at one side with a passageway B adapted to connectthe passageway-B with the receiver chamber C when the gate is in theclosed position. To one trunnion B is secured an operating arm B whichis connected by a connecting rod K to a lever arm K secured to the rockshaft K. The valve or gate member D in the casing D as shown isidentical with the valve member BO except that it has no passagecorresponding to the passage B An operating arm D secured to one of thetrunnions D is connected by a connecting rod K to another lever arm Ksecured to the rock shaft K.

In the normal condition of the apparatus the gate D is closed and thegate B is open. By rotating the rock shaft K, however, the gate B may beclosed and the valve D opened. As shown in Figs. 1, 8, 9 and 10, thevalves or gates have suflicient lap and the rock shaft K and the variouslink or connecting rods and crank arms are so set and arranged that thevalve member B closes and the valve member D opens successively and thereverse movements of the two valve members take place in reverse order.-While a movement of the rock shaft from the position, shown in, and inthe direction of the arrow applied to, Figs. 1 and 8, begins the closingmovement of the valve member 13, the initial portion of this movement ofthe rock shaft first rotates the valve member D in the clockwisedirection and. then in the reverse direction and does not establishcommunication between the receiver cham ber C and the exit chamber Ethrough the thoroughfare or valve passage D until the valve member B0 ismoved suiiiciently to close communication between the transit tube A andthe receiver chamber 0 through the thoroughfare B The rock shaft K isoscillated by the piston member J working in the cylinder J and havingits stem connected to the arm K of the rock shaft by a suitableconnecting rod. The stem J of the piston J is extended at the rear tooperate valve members H which control ports HF and HG connecting thebypass channels F and G with the chamber H in the valve casing H, to theport H? of which the outgoing conduit I is directly connected. In thenormal condition of the apparatus with the gate member B directlyconnecting the transit tube A and receiver 0, the ports HG are incommunication through the chamber H with the outlet port H while theports HF are in communication With the equalizing space surrounding thewall of the chamber H. When the gate member 13 is closed and the gatemember 1) opens, the valve members H are moved to connect the ports HFthrough the chamber H to the outlet port H while the ports HG are thenin communication with the equalizing space surrounding the chamber H.

The movements of the piston J and con sequently the positions of thevalve members 13, D and H are directly cont-rolled by a valve mechanismL. This mechanism comprises a casing formed with passages L and L'unning to the left and right hand ends of the cylinder J, respectively,and

each alternately connected, one to the inlet chamber L and the other tothe outlet chamber L of the casing of the valve mechanism L.

As shown best in Fig. 3 which is a section taken on a diametrical planeat a slight angle to the plane of the section shown in v i to thereceiver chamber C adjacent the gate Fig. 3, the lower end of the casingcontaining the passages L and L is secured to the body of the cylinder Jwith the passages L channel communicates with a corresponding 7 channelJ in the adjacent cylinder head. Each channel J opens to the interior ofthe cylinder through a port J t controlled by an inwardly opening checkvalve J As the piston J approaches either end of the cylinder, it cutsoff the corresponding port J and is cushioned by the air trapped in theend of the cylinder. When thereafter pressure fluid is supplied to thecorresponding channel J the piston J is given its return movement byfluid admitted to the cylinder solely through the port J until thepreviously closed portJ is opened, after which the pressure fluid isadmitted to the cylinder through the two ports J 4 and J at the end ofthe cylinder from which the piston is moving.

Pressure fluid, as compressed air, is supplied to the chamber L from thesupply pipe M and an exhaust pipe L leads away from the chamber LCommunication be tween the passages L and L and the chambers L and L iscontrolled by piston valve members L mounted. on a valve stem L Thevalve stem L is extended through the casing L at one end and is providedwith a stop L normally engaged by a pivoted pawl L which then holds thevalve members L in the normal position shown in Figs. t and 5 in whichthe pressure of the inlet chamber L is transmitted to the left hand endof the cylinder J to thereby hold the piston J at the right hand end ofthe cylinder as shown in Fig. 3.

In the construction illustrated in the drawings, the stop at the outerend of the valve stem L is formed by the inner end of a sleeve L securedto the end of the valve stem L and a spring L bearing against the sleeveL tends to force the valve members L to the right when the release ofthe pawl L permits this movement. The pawl L is normally held in thelocking position by a spring L but is automatically released at theproper instant by means of the piston L connected to the pawl andworking in the chamber L. A pipe L connects the outer end I) of thechamber L to the upper end of the bypass channel G. The pressure of thefluid supplied to the chamber L through the pipe L tends to hold "thepawl L in the locking position. The

inner end L of the chamber L is connected by a pipe L, in front of thepipe L to a pipe N which s connected in turn D. In Figs. 4 and 5, Z andZ represent pipe connecting provisions at the underside of the chamber Lalined with the provisions at the upper side of the chamber forconnecting the pipes L and L respectively into the chamber L Theprovisions Z and Z are plugged up in the arrangement shown but areadapted to have the pipes L and L connected to them when the valve L andattached parts are turned end for end. hen this occurs the provisionsshown as receiving the pipes L and L are plugged up.

hen a carrier, passing with a considerable velocity from the transittube A proper through the gate B enters the portion of the receiverchamber C to the right of the bypass channel Gr, it compresses thetrapped air in the receiver chamber G between it and the gate D which isthen closed, and this air forms a cushion which stops the carrierquickly but without shock. Owing to this compression of the trapped airthe pressure in the front end of the chamber C rises above the pressurenormally prevailing in the transit tube system. This increased pressurebeing transmitted to the inner end of the piston L causes the lockingpawl L to be retracted, whereupon the spring L throws the valves L tothe right. This connects the right hand end of the cylinder J to thesupply pipe M through the valve chamber L and passage L and at the sametime connects the left hand end of the chamber J through the passage Land outlet valve chamber L to the exhaust pipe L This causes the pistonJ to move to the left hand end of the chamber J and this movement of thepiston closes the gate B and opens the gate D and shifts the valvemembers H to open the connection F and close connection G. hen thepiston J reaches the left hand end of its movement the left hand end ofthe stem J engages the stem Q of the valve Q, to thereby connect a pipeQ leading from the pressure supply pipe M with a pipe PQ leading to theleft hand end of a cylinder P. The pressure thus admitted to thecylinder P acts upon the piston P to force the latter to the right fromthe normal position, shown in Fig. 3, in which it is held by a spring P.On this movement of the piston P the stem P of the latter engages avalve memher 0 working in a casing O and shifts the valve member O fromthe full line position shown in Fig. 3 to the dotted line position shownin that figure, to thereby connect a passage 0 leading from the top ofthe bypass channel F to a chamber or passage 0 This permits air to flowfrom the transit tube A through passages O and O and port B into themain thoroughfare B of the valve member 13 and from thence through theside passage B into the rear end of the receiver chamber to drive thecarrier from the receiver chamber through the gate member D (then in,theopen position) into the discharge section E. The valve casing O isformed with a passage 0 normally connected to the passage 0 but out 01ftherefrom by the valve member 0 when the latter is moved out of itsnormal position. The pipe N, hereinbefore referred to, which isconnected at one end of the receiver chamber adjacent the gate D, isconnected at its rear end to the valve chamber 0 and serves as a meansfor permitting the pressure fluid at the rear end of a carrier in thereceiver chamber C to exhaust at the same time the pressure fluid infront of the carrier exhausts when the gate member D is moved toestablish communication between the receiver C and the exit passage E.The exhaust from the rear of the carrier takes place through the valvepassage 13 main thoroughfare B port B passages O and O and pipe N. Thisavoids any possibility of having the carrier forced against the gatemember 1) when the pressure in front of the carrier is released on theinitial opening of gate D.

Since communication between chambers O and O is cut off by the valvemember 0" before the latter opens communication between passages O and 0there is no chance for air to flow out from the transit tube A properthrough the valve casing D and pipe N. The excess pressure in the frontend of the receiver chamber C is relieved, however, by the flow throughpipe N chambers O and O and port B back into the transit tube A whichtakes place at that stage of the closing movement of valve 13 in whichthe port B is in communication with the transit tube throughthoroughfare B (See Fig. 8.)

The return movement of the piston J is brought about automatically bymeans of a piston L working in a cylinder L secured to the right handend of the casing of the valve L and mechanism now to be described forvarying the fluid'pressure in the cylinder L The outer end of thecylinder L is connected by a pipe L to the chamber R of a device Rattached to the discharge section E. A second chamber R of the member Ris connected by a pipe R to the pressure supply conduit M. A portconnecting the passages R and R is controlled by a valve R normally heldclosed by a spring B A finger R pivoted to the casing of the member R isnormally held by the spring R in the position in which it extends intothe discharge tube section E. A carrier passing into this tube andengaging the finger, first moves the finger outward and then permits itto move back to its original position. Pivoted to the finger R is athrust member R which in the normal condition of the apparatus laps theadjacent end of the stem of the valve R When the finger R is thrownoutward by an inserted carrier the member R is carried back of the stemof the valve R and is then moved into alinement there with by the springacting on a piston R to which the member R is loosely connect ed. Inconsequence, when the movement of the carrier permits the finger R toagain move inward, the tension of the spring R acting through the fingerR and member R supplemented in practice by the weight of the finger Rcauses the valve R to be moved by the member R into the position inwhich the pipes L and R are connected. This transmits the pressure ofthe supply pipe M to the outer end of the cylinder L whereupon thepiston L is forced inward and the stem of the piston engaging the valvestem L returns the valve stem L and the valve members L to their normalpositions. When this occurs the locking dog engages the stop sleeve Lthe pressure at the inner end of the cylinder L having fallen to thepressure of the atmosphere in the meantime. The piston R works in acylinder R to theoutcr end of which is connected a pipe L connected tothe chamber L by a port uncovered by the piston L when the latterreaches its innermost position. lVhen this occurs the pressure fluidtransmitted to the outer end of the cylinder L by pipe L passes throughthe pipe L to the outer end of the cylinder R and acting against thepiston R moves the latter to throw the thrust member R out of line withthe stem of the valve R The valve R is then closed by the spring R Thiscompletes the cycle of operations incident to the receipt and dischargeof a can rier and returns the receiver terminal apparatus to its normalcondition ready to receive a subsequent carrier passing to it throughthe transit tube A.

Advantageously I provide the valve mechanism L with a manually actuatedlever L adapted to engage the ends of a pin L passing through the valvestem L and pro vide the valve stem L with an external handle extension Lwhereby the valve mechanism may be manually adjusted when this isdesirable. Similarly, I prefer to provide the valve member with anexternal handle O to permit of its manual actuation when desired.

The operation of the apparatus disclosed will be apparent withoutfurther explana tion.

The inherent simplicity and reliability of the mechanism disclosed andthe economy in the pressure fluid that may be had by its use will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes I haveillustrated and described the best form of my invention now known to me,it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that changes may bemade i in the form of the apparatus disclosed without departing from thespirit of my invention, and that certain features of the invention maysometimes be used with advantage second gate, at the outlet end of saidchamher, said gates having lap permitting a limited. movement of thegates when closed without opening the gateways controlled by them, andoperating means for said gates comprising an oscillating member andlinks pivotallyconnected to said member and to said gates and so setthat a single movement of said member in one direction will move thefirst mentioned gate from the open to the closed position and thereafteropen said second gate without reopening the first mentioned gate.

2. In a pneumatic despatch tube system the combination with a transittube, of a receiver chamber, a rotary gate connecting the transit tubeand receiver chamber, a second rotary gate at the outlet end of saidchamber, said gates having lap, permitting a limited movement of thegates when closed without opening the gateways controlled by them, andoperating connect-ions for said gates comprising a rocking member andlinks pivotally connected to said member and to said gates and soarranged that the first mentioned gate is moved from the open positioninto the closed position and the second gate is thereafter moved fromthe closed position into the open position without reopening the firstmentioned gate on a single turning movement of said member in onedirection.

3. In a pneumatic despatch tube system the combination of a transittube, a receiver chamber, a gate connecting the transit tube andreceiver chamber, a second gate controlling the outlet end of thereceiver chamber, an outgoing conduit, separate pipes connecting saidoutgoing conduit to the transit tube and receiver chamber, respectively,ad-

acent the first mentioned gate, a valve mechanism for alternatelyopening one of said connections and closing the other, when the firstmentioned gate is shifted from the open to the closed position, a gateoperating motor comprising an actuating member and positive operatingconnections between said member and said gates and said valve mechanism.

4:. In a pneumatic despatch tube system,

the combination with a transit tube, of a receiver chamber, a gateconnecting said transit tube and receiver chamber, a second gatecontrolling the outlet from said receiver chamber, means forsuccessively closing the first mentioned gate and opening said secondgate on the passage of a carrier into said chamber, and provisions forsimultaneously opening both ends of said chamber to exhaust prior to thedischarge of the carrier from said chamber.

5. In a pneumatic despatch tube system, the combination with a transittube of a receiver chamber, a gate connecting said transit tube andreceiver chamber, a second gate controlling the outlet from saidreceiver chamber, means for successively closing the first mentionedgate and opening said second gate on the passage of a carrier into saidchamber, and bypass provisions connecting the ends of said chamber andpermitting both ends to exhaust simultaneously when said second gateopens.

6, In a pneumatic despatch tube system, the combination With a transittube of a re ceiver chamber, a gate connecting said transit tube andreceiver chamber, a second gate controlling the outlet from saidreceiver chamber, means for successively closing the first mentionedgate and opening said second gate on the passage of a carrier into saidchamber, and bypass provisions connecting the ends of said chamber andcont-rolled by the first mentioned gate and opened by the movement ofthe latter into the closed position.

7 In a pneumatic despatch tube system, the combination with a transittube of a receiver chamber, a gate connecting said transit tube andreceiver chamber, a second gate controlling the outlet from saidreceiver chamber, means for successively closing the first mentionedgate and opening said second gate on the passage of a carrier into saidchamber, means operating in timed relation to the movements of saidgates for placing the ends of said chambers in communication after thefirst mentioned gate closes and before the second gate opens and othermeans also operatin in timed relation to the movement of said gatesinterrupting said communication and supplying compressed air to the rearend of said chamber after said second gate fully opens.

8. In a pneumatic despatch tube system, the combination with a transittube, of a receiver chamber, all. gate connecting said transit tube andreceiver chamber, a second gate controlling the outlet from saidreceiver chamber, means for successively closing the first mentionedgate and opening said second gate on the passage of a carrier into saidchamber, bypass connection between the front and rear ends of saidchamber and including a port located adjacent the rear end of thechamber which is closed by the first mentioned gate when in the openposition and opened when said gate is in the closed position, a valvemechanism operating in timed relation to the movement of said gates forclosing said bypass connection at a point between said port and thefront end of said chamber when said second gate is wide open andsimultaneously therewith connecting the transit tube and the portion ofthe bypass between said point and said port.

' BIRNEY o. BATCHELLER.

\Vitnesses:

ROBERT W. CRAWFORD,

H. W. VVILCOX.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

